Singletrack Forum » Topic: South Downs Double attempt under wayhttp://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way
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allthepies on "South Downs Double attempt under way"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way#post-6207510
Fri, 01 Aug 2014 21:30:51 +0000allthepies6207510@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p> <img src="http://singletrackworld.com/forum/my-plugins/bbcode-buttons/default/icon_eek.gif" title="8O" class="bb_smilies" alt=""/> </p>
<p>Good luck fella, that's proper epic.
</p>robcolliver on "South Downs Double attempt under way"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way#post-6207503
Fri, 01 Aug 2014 21:29:10 +0000robcolliver6207503@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>Just for a chuckle, I thought it's time to have another bash at this double game, so, if the weather plays ball, I'm going to have a bash at the double double next wekend.</p>
<p>I think it makes about 400 miles and a few feet of climbing, should be done in about 54 hours.</p>
<p>Bike is in good shape, though last times half distance attempt was curtailed by a busted shifter rather than just a cable. XTR shifters don't break often, so I feel lucky this time round.
</p>DanW on "South Downs Double attempt under way"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way#post-5269812
Fri, 23 Aug 2013 12:51:37 +0000DanW5269812@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>It's one of those things you never think will happen- really bad luck!</p>
<p>I snapped a rear cable half way in to one of the SPAM Salisbury Plain events but luckily could finish thanks to a triple up front which made the 11T bearable in most situations...</p>
<p>Now I always carry a spare cable... but stupidly no means to cut it! Thinking about it, maybe I should go and cut it to a reasonable length now <img src="http://singletrackworld.com/forum/my-plugins/bbcode-buttons/default/icon_biggrin.gif" title=":D" class="bb_smilies" alt=""/> </p>fourbanger on "South Downs Double attempt under way"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way#post-5269685
Fri, 23 Aug 2013 12:16:36 +0000fourbanger5269685@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>Ride-ender is a bit dramatic. SDW double attempt ender is fair enough.<br />
A puncture is a ride ender if you don't have means to repair it. A broken cable can be easily bodged to give one gear. That won't end a ride.
</p>Pyro on "South Downs Double attempt under way"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way#post-5269452
Fri, 23 Aug 2013 10:55:00 +0000Pyro5269452@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>Yup, weighs naff-all and takes up no space in my camelbak. Since it'd be a ride-ender, why not?
</p>Van Halen on "South Downs Double attempt under way"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way#post-5269447
Fri, 23 Aug 2013 10:52:22 +0000Van Halen5269447@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>i carried a cable for the sdw-in-a-day i did. </p>
<p>just cos you never know and its bugger all weight.
</p>spacemonkey on "South Downs Double attempt under way"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way#post-5269439
Fri, 23 Aug 2013 10:49:52 +0000spacemonkey5269439@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p><blockquote>Do people normally carry a spare cable? Maybe if I were touring I might carry one, or put a new cable in before something like this, but I've not snapped a gear cable in 15 years of mountain biking. Am I living on the edge?<br />
</blockquote></p>
<p>Nope. I snapped one at Afan years ago but was lucky the shop had stock. We all know how sh1t we feel when we get a ride-ending mechanical <img src="http://singletrackworld.com/forum/my-plugins/bbcode-buttons/default/icon_sad.gif" title=":(" class="bb_smilies" alt=""/> </p>bigyinn on "South Downs Double attempt under way"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way#post-5269435
Fri, 23 Aug 2013 10:49:08 +0000bigyinn5269435@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>Its very easy to be critical in hindsight, but before a big ride I'll generally give the bike a good going over before setting off. Snapped cables bascically end the ride if its the SDW.
</p>fourbanger on "South Downs Double attempt under way"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way#post-5269411
Fri, 23 Aug 2013 10:42:00 +0000fourbanger5269411@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>Do people normally carry a spare cable? Maybe if I were touring I might carry one, or put a new cable in before something like this, but I've not snapped a gear cable in 15 years of mountain biking. Am I living on the edge?
</p>Trimix on "South Downs Double attempt under way"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way#post-5269392
Fri, 23 Aug 2013 10:37:23 +0000Trimix5269392@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>Bummer - but why wouldnt you start out to do a massive ride like that without changing the bits that can / do wear with new bits ? </p>
<p>Also reckon his support crew must now feel a bit daft not having a spare cable !
</p>zilog6128 on "South Downs Double attempt under way"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way#post-5269377
Fri, 23 Aug 2013 10:32:42 +0000zilog61285269377@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>Support crew meeting him every 5 miles and no spares? Whoops! If it were me I would have a whole spare bike in the back of the car/van!! Easy to say in hindsight though of course. Hope he tries again and is successful, it's a challenge I'd like to do myself one day (when a lot fitter!)
</p>jonny1867 on "South Downs Double attempt under way"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way#post-5269352
Fri, 23 Aug 2013 10:24:58 +0000jonny18675269352@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>Shame Rob had to abort his ride.</p>
<p>beacon2 - I completed the double in 22 hours 23 minutes unsupported on 29th June this year, blog is here, maybe some useful info for people wanting to give it a go <a href="http://jonnydouble.blogspot.co.uk/" rel="nofollow">http://jonnydouble.blogspot.co.uk/</a> </p>
<p>BTW If any of you out there are old timers and want a bit of inspiration... I'm an ancient 51 years old!
</p>beacon2 on "South Downs Double attempt under way"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way#post-5252822
Sat, 17 Aug 2013 15:25:21 +0000beacon25252822@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>The South Downs Double can either be done Alpine style with no support or it can be done supported.<br />
It's a tough challenge where in 2011 there was only a 30% success rate. I'm not sure how many people have tried this year.</p>
<p>Where do you go after the Double - take on the Triple <img src="http://singletrackworld.com/forum/my-plugins/bbcode-buttons/default/icon_biggrin.gif" title=":D" class="bb_smilies" alt=""/> </p>JRTG on "South Downs Double attempt under way"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way#post-5252800
Sat, 17 Aug 2013 15:13:35 +0000JRTG5252800@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>Shame the cable broke, should have singlespeeded it! Hopefully a return attempt will happen soon. On a side note, isnt the challenge to do it unsupported using the many public taps?
</p>beacon2 on "South Downs Double attempt under way"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way#post-5252773
Sat, 17 Aug 2013 14:57:40 +0000beacon25252773@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>Rob has had to call it a day just before Eastbourne. His gear cable frayed and he had no spare, at least he gave it a go, but CARRY SPARES.</p>
<p>Incidentally, my gear cable snapped on my South Downs Double, so I fixed it. <a href="http://richardsterry.blogspot.co.uk/p/big-day-south-downs-double.html" rel="nofollow">http://richardsterry.blogspot.co.uk/p/big-day-south-downs-double.html</a></p>
<p>Hopefully Rob will try again soon.
</p>beacon2 on "South Downs Double attempt under way"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way#post-5252720
Sat, 17 Aug 2013 14:26:52 +0000beacon25252720@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>Rob has just past Alfriston and his gear cable needs replacing, unfortunately he doesn't have a spare (he's travelling light).<br />
Is anyone in the area who can help him?
</p>rollindoughnut on "South Downs Double attempt under way"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way#post-5252631
Sat, 17 Aug 2013 13:21:40 +0000rollindoughnut5252631@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>Tell him I'll be rooting for him on the return leg.</p>
<p>Looking at Gfs forecast (local windsurfers favorite), the rain will be between 5-10pm, probably peaking around 9pm.<br />
After 10pm looks like the rain will stop and the wind will drop noticeably.</p>
<p>So once it gets dark and the rain is lashing down in his face, tell him to tough it out, it will get better and we'll be watching his progress.</p>
<p>EDIT:<br />
Looking at the radar I don't think he's got more than an hour before it hits....<br />
...Which is good, because it'll be over earlier. <img src="http://singletrackworld.com/forum/my-plugins/bbcode-buttons/default/icon_smile.gif" title=":-)" class="bb_smilies" alt=""/> </p>beacon2 on "South Downs Double attempt under way"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way#post-5252623
Sat, 17 Aug 2013 13:19:19 +0000beacon25252623@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>Rob is riding a Santa Cruz Tallboy and he is now<br />
approaching Southease.<br />
I like the next hill up to Firle; find a good rythm and have somthing solid to think about, it's then not long before you pass the radio masts.
</p>beacon2 on "South Downs Double attempt under way"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way#post-5252562
Sat, 17 Aug 2013 12:48:51 +0000beacon25252562@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>Rob is going well and still smiling. He is averaging 10mph partly due to the tail wind. He has just crossed over the A27. Ben is the support crew No.3 out of 5 teams.
</p>cyclistm on "South Downs Double attempt under way"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-double-attempt-under-way#post-5252390
Sat, 17 Aug 2013 11:14:06 +0000cyclistm5252390@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>Roads could be tricky for the support crew around Eastbourne if he is aiming for 5 mile pitstops as its Airbourne this weekend.</p>
<p>He has a pretty tasty tail wind for the outward leg, hope it drops a bit for the way back.</p>
<p>Good luck, hope he does it.
</p>